Yesterday was the first day that I didn't go visit Ana. I figured she could use a day off. So I was super eager to see her today. She seemed happy to see me too. She immediately stepped away from her hay and walked over to me in a hurried stride.

I had intended on riding her in yet another trial saddle but the billet straps were too long for the girth. So I took confo pics and started another saddle fitting thread to see what others have to say while I figure out where I can get a shorter girth for my trial ride.

Since I was already there and dressed to ride, I threw the good old trusted Pessoa on her and rode her in that. We had the whole arena to ourselves again. She was in a hurry today. Her trot was out of this world. It could be because it's a little cooler and she's been getting higher quality food.

I'm just starting her dressage training so I don't want to slow her down too much because I don't want to hinder her stride length and rhythm so I figured I just let her trot it out of her system, but she apparently has more endurance than me. After trotting around for what seemed like an eternity I brought her back to a walk just so that I could get a break.

It's also only her third time in this arena so she's still doing some rubber necking. The gate at the other end of the arena was open and I didn't see it until I was already riding around - good training opportunity though.

Since she was in such a hurry today I only cantered her briefly for a couple of circles; she missed the initial canter depart cue as usual but then picked it up the second time; correct lead, just hurried stride, stiffening and huffing and puffing and grunting.

I made her do a lot of walking which caused her to want to jig which I won't let her do so then I made her halt or do tight circles or a turn on the forehand.

It took probably 30 minutes before she was finally relaxing a bit and stretching down seeking the bit. By then I was too tired to do much more so I only did a few more minutes of on the bit work and then I let her cool off and took her for a spin outside. She stretched down nicely and grunted quite a bit, so I guess that felt good to her.

I also took some pics of her and her new pasture buds; will need to post.

I can't believe how cute she is with her lil buddy. I'm glad I got on here and saw that you had moved . I guess I should reconsider returning. If you are where I think you are, that place is AWESOME! Hope you really enjoy it and good luck!Posted via Mobile Device

I can't believe how cute she is with her lil buddy. I'm glad I got on here and saw that you had moved . I guess I should reconsider returning. If you are where I think you are, that place is AWESOME! Hope you really enjoy it and good luck!Posted via Mobile Device

Thank you. I liked my old barn initially but they just didn't have the amenities that we both need in order to progress.

I finally test rode Ana in the Laser Amulet trial saddle and I really liked it. It was comfortable and it fit her well. I felt really secure in it especially at the sitting trot plus my back didn't hurt. I think it's a keeper. I just need to negotiate a better price with the consigner, shorten the billet straps and send it off to be re-finished or re-finish it myself (most of the black color as worn off). I'm ready to put a check mark on my saddle hunt, that's for sure.

She moved pretty well in it. She spooked at a truck driving by the open side of the arena but she recovered quickly. There was a jumping lesson in progress just outside of the arena so Ana was a little distracted by that as well. When they were done they walked through the arena and untacked on the other side of the arena gate - great distractions = great training opportunities.

I want her to experience as many scenarios as possible because when we start showing we won't know what we will run into, so we are better off practicing the unexpected at home.

She's starting to flex better for me as she relaxes; it takes her a good 10 minutes before she starts to relax and 20 minutes before she's relaxed enough to do any real work, so I will need to lengthen my training sessions with her.

For the first time yesterday, we were trotting along, and she picked up the canter from the trot; I think the extra long billet straps were slapping her in the belly and that caused her to break into a canter. I brought her back to a trot but was happy to see that she could make the transition into the correct lead canter.

So we are making progress but it doesn't always go as planned; which is good because it will prepare us for the chaos of the show world.

That mini is really cute! They look like they're getting along well, too!

I wonder if Ana thinks that it's a foal since he's so small? She used to babysit weanlings at her previous owner's barn, so she might be missing her big sister responsibilities and has found an outlet in the mini.

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